Perks

Did You Know You Can Use Your Library Card to Get Free Access to Local Cultural Attractions?

Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources' new "Culture Pass" program allows adult residents with a library card to get free or discounted access to local theaters, museums and more.

02/24/2026 By Megan McDonald

Simply the Best

The Best Restaurants in Sarasota

Our list of the 33 most fabulous restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee.

02/03/2026 By Lauren Jackson

Sprawl Surge

Sarasota County’s Master-Planned Giants Keep Dominating National Rankings

RLCO's 2025 list again places Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park in the top 10, with more than 3,000 combined new-home sales and a regional growth footprint that now rivals small cities.

01/11/2026 By Kim Doleatto

The Other Downtowns

Looking for New Downtown Districts to Explore? Try These Five Nearby City Centers

Within an hour of Sarasota’s Main Street, we found five downtowns, each with its own rhythm and its own kind of welcome.

01/04/2026 By Lauren Jackson, Susan Burns, and Kim Doleatto

Best of Sarasota

Our 10 Most Popular Stories of 2025

Out of everything we published this year, here's what you clicked on most.

12/23/2025 By Megan McDonald

Best of 2025

Our Top Food Stories of 2025

This year, we covered everything you need to know about Sarasota's local farmers markets, the numerous ways agriculture is shaping the local food scene, how restaurants are recovering from last year's storms, and more.

12/22/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Treasure Trove

At the Sarasota County History Center, You'll Find Fascinating Historical Objects

What do MacKinlay Kantor's crutch, a Sara De Soto pageant crown and a pointy pen used by Gov. Cary Hardee in 1921 all have in common?

12/02/2025 By Kay Kipling

Inspired by History

Sarasotans Have Been Publishing Their Recipes Since the Early 1900s. We Tried Two.

One of them, “Orange Short Cake," is as much a showstopper today as it was 111 years ago.

12/01/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Parks for Everyone

Get Outside and Explore Our Welcoming Parks and Preserves

The region has a wealth of these restorative spaces to enjoy, no matter your passion. Here are 10 to explore.

12/01/2025 By Kendall Southworth

Sea Change

What Does the Future Hold for St. Armands Circle?

As storms intensify and sea levels rise, St. Armands Circle weighs its future.

12/01/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Hop To It

Rabbit Rabbit Owner Amanda Gilliland Hand-Selects Each Item for Her Rosemary District Eco Gift Shop

“At its core, Rabbit Rabbit is a gift store, but one that prioritizes healthy production practices. It’s about thinking about what we are buying, why we are buying it and where it is coming from.”

11/04/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Eat Your Veggies

The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch Was Just Recognized as the Best Farmers Market in the U.S.

American Farmland Trust's annual Farmers Market Celebration honors markets across the country. This year, Lakewood Ranch took the top spot.

10/03/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Hot Sips

Sarasota's Best Coffee Shops

Get your caffeine fix at one of these top spots.

09/29/2025 By Staff

Hurricane Helene

Today Is the One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Helene's Landfall

Catastrophic storm surge, fierce winds and billions of dollars in damages left Sarasota and Manatee struggling to rebuild in the storm's wake.

09/26/2025 By Megan McDonald and Kim Doleatto

Fresh!

Your Guide to Every Single Local Farmers Market

Whatever you’re hungry for, you’ll find it at a local market.

09/19/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Counter Culture

Grab a Chair at These Four Chef’s Counters

Those who dine unfettered by dietary restrictions and driven by curiosity will relish the chef’s counter adventure.

09/15/2025 By Karen Hughes Irvine

A Rinse With a View

Four Backyard Showers With Style

From coral rock installations to sleek modern pavilions, outdoor showers aren’t just rinsing stations—they’re statements.

09/08/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Whisker Wonderland

At Katy’s Cat Café, Adoptable Cats and Kittens Are the Stars

At Katy’s, one side of the space is a beverage and ice cream outlet, where you can view, but not physically hang out with the cats. A separate entrance takes you into the “cat lounge,” where you can cuddle adoptable cats and kittens lazing about.

09/04/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Made in Sarasota

Gary Drouin’s Retro Tube Amplifiers Have a National Market

Drouin, 72, meticulously hand-builds and repairs amplifiers from his home garage for tube amp devotees around the country.

09/04/2025 By Megan McDonald

Find Something Fabulous

Treasure-Hunting Thifters Head to Fabulous Finds at the Pines

Even interior designers, stagers and theater people looking for props drop in.

09/02/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Sarasota Magazine

Hannah Trombly